Sweat dripped down her brow, but she made no attempt to wipe it away out of wariness for the skillful opponent in front of her. On reflex, she rolled forward, narrowly missing the great swing of the scythe that was aimed for her head.
Qrow Branwen had stopped holding back against his niece.
Ruby raised her shield, the Valesian symbol shone brightly in the morning sun light, the dulled edge of the scythe was deflected and then the flash of her training blade lashed out in response to the attack.
Ren observed Ruby retaliate with the short sword, initially she fought the first few sparring rounds with the traditional Valesian one-handed sword, but the blade proved to be too long and unfamiliar to what the former Gladiator had become accustomed to.
The next best thing to a Mistrali gladius was the Valesian short sword.
The seasoned Huntsman spun his scythe around, Nora was mesmerized at the movement of the deadly weapon, the way he moved the scythe in a deadly dance – each step forward he struck with his weapon, moving hand over hand as he swung the scythe. Ruby did all she could to try to dodge each attack; it was like fighting an opponent with a pole arm – just more difficult, more unpredictable, and more deadly.
Weiss gasped, Ruby sustained a cut on her upper arm – despite Qrow reassuring that the blade was dulled.
"We can stop." Qrow looked at his niece's wound, the blood was beginning to seep through the tunic.
Ruby raised her shield and brandished her sword, "I don't remember yielding." Her tone dangerous, Bolin smirked at the predictable line, he recognized the look that flashed across Ruby's eyes.
Ruby Rose was going to stop holding back, too.
Qrow was caught off guard at the sudden up-tempo, Ruby moved fast – really fast. She thrust her sword forward, aiming for his stomach, and then raised her shield just in time to meet the arm of the scythe before Qrow could swing it around. The Hunter jumped backwards in an attempt to put some distance between him and his opponent, he swung down the blade in an attempt to cleave his incoming opponent, but Ruby rolled to the side at the last minute to escape the attack.
"H-Hey!" Yang called out in a warning, she recognized that her uncle had used a serious attack.
"They'll be fine." Bolin reassured, "Ruby's the one asking for it."
Ruby closed the distance her uncle tried to put in-between them, her sword raised and a well-practiced combination executed. Qrow parried and block each stroke of the short sword, he had no time to swing his war scythe around – he doubted any warrior would have time to try and retaliate.
The seasoned Hunter quickly recognized the disadvantageous situation that was beginning to develop, he was going to run out of space to back up into if he didn't act soon. With the pole end of his scythe, he planted the end with a well-timed thrust forward. Ruby was momentarily taken back, the blow had knocked the wind out of her and would surely leave a sizable bruise on her stomach later.
Qrow spun his whole body around, the scythe elegantly twirling around into an all out attack that was aimed to slay. The scythe's edged gleamed in the sunlight, the razor edge coming for Ruby's head as the fighter struggled to regain her bearing.
"Qrow!" Yang yelled out in rage once she recognized the attack he usually saved for the more dangerous Grimm.
It was pure instinct.
Ruby raised her iron shield in time, the edge of her shield catching the scythe's edge – sparks practically flew while Ruby moved forward, the scythe's bladed edge slicing the air behind her and her short sword poised for the final move.
Qrow blinked, a flash of silver and then a slight burning sensation could be felt on his check. His red eyes flicked over and saw his own reflection in the blade.
"I yield." The dusty old Hunter proclaimed as his blood began to run down his cheek.
"Have you lost your mind?" Yang pushed her Uncle, "It's just a spar!"
"Yang." Ruby panted, out of breathe from the spar, "If anyone's to blame, it's me."
"Ruby, he almost decapitated you." The blond turned towards her sister.
"I was asking for it." The Gladiator held a defiant air, "I wanted a fight to the best of his abilities, and he gave it to me." She stared her sister in the eyes, "It was a good fight and none of us were in danger to die."
Qrow nodded, "I haven't sparred like that since… well, for a while now." He was about to mention something about his days with Tai in the Army.
"It was a good fight, I might have to ask for a round one day." Bolin looked on eagerly.
"Only if it's with wooden practice swords." Reese chastised, she glared something fierce at Bolin.
"O-Of course…" Bolin trailed off, but his eyes didn't stop lingering on the war scythe and the marvelous performance it had just put on.
"Speaking of a round." Neptune got up, at his side were Scarlet and Sage dressed in garb comfortable enough for some exercise, "Let's say we go for a round, Bo. I got fired up watching the Reaper in action." He grabbed a wooden training sword, Sage and Scarlet nodded in suit, the two were antsy for some action.
Reese nodded with her eyes rolled, "Oh boy…"
"How can I say no to a request like that?" Bolin smiled as he leaned over to pick up another wooden sword.
Weiss looked on in exasperation at the scene, "How do they have the energy to keep sparring? You guys have been at it since practically dawn."
"We've got a lot of energy." Ruby shrugged. "Thank you for that… Uncle Qrow."
Qrow set his scythe to the side, he rolled his neck around before wiping at the cut on his cheek, "Any time kid, but hopefully we can hold back on having another spar like that. You sure did a number on me." He smiled at his niece.
That was the first time Ruby had called him Uncle.
"You were pretty good yourself, there were a few moments where I thought you had me." Ruby looked at the wound on her arm, it bled a lot but it didn't look deep, "Although I'm sure the guys are going to want a piece of you too after all that."
"Only if they can beat you." Qrow closed one eye as he watched Bolin tear through Neptune's defenses. "I could definitely use a drink after all this, it's been a long time since I've had to get up early for training." He stretched out his back, "What else do you guys have planned for the day?"
"Well, Weiss wants to go to the port again to see if Winter's ship has come in." Ruby mentioned casually, she grabbed some bandages from Nora and went about dressing the cut on her arm.
"Winter?" Qrow forehead raised in surprised.
"I guess I forgot to mention that the other day, Winter's coming to town with General Ironwood." Yang had nearly forgot that her Uncle knew the Altesian officer.
"Wait." Weiss narrowed her eyes at the Hunter, "You know Winter?"
"Yeah he does, he kicked her ass in the 5-year War with Atlas, but he let her go in the end." Yang grinned cheekily at her friend.
"Preposterous!" Weiss nearly screeched, "Winter's a decorated officer and a well-regarded swordsman of the highest caliber in Atlas' rank."
Qrow wished, he patted his older niece on her back, "Don't antagonize the Ice Queen like that, Winter is a really good officer."
"Ice Queen?" Weiss rolled her eyes at the comment, she could see where Yang picked up her boisterous attitude, "You may know Winter, but you surely can't be a friend."
"On the contrary, we are friends of the sort." Qrow flashed a charming smile, "Your sister and I have kept in… touch, I suppose."
"Friends?" The Schnee went wide eyed at the very thought, "I find it hard to believe that my older sister would be friend with you."
"You and me both, Ice Queen." Qrow antagonized the younger Schnee, "You definitely are as much fun to poke at like your sister, albeit, a lot more vocal about it."
"In more ways than one…" Yang added quietly, but Weiss still caught the comment.
"Yang." Weiss seethed.
The wind rustled the tree's surround the humble Valesian port, a rather sizable crowd had begun to gather around a pier that was supposed to dock an Altesian marvel. Sailors and travelers alike leaned over the railings of wharfs and other ships in the surround area, there were rumors in other ports (especially down in Menagerie) of this technological wonder. A vessel with no sails and was powered by fire Dust crystals – the exact engineering and design of the ship's power source and how it propels itself forward is still a close hold secret to the Kingdom of Atlas.
The distinct colors of a black and white flew in the wind, the proud emblem of the Altesian Kingdom flowed majestically in the breeze – two circular patterns and a spear was overlaid it, a stark contrast the crossed axes that represented Vale. The iron beast pulled to port, the crew on board and a few hands on the pier were going about prepping the vessel for a long-term stay in port.
A woman with white hair that was a signature to Altesian natives wore a white spring dress that danced lightly in the wind.
Weiss Schnee smiled at the sight, she hadn't realized how home sick she was until she caught sight of Atlas' colors pulling into port. The crowd began buzzing, rumors and whispers flying around about what's going to happen next.
What will this conference between Atlas, Vale, and even Vacuo yield?
Was it a slave rebellion?
Have you seen the refugees coming in by the boatful?
Did you hear the stories of how Mistral was being razed?
Regicide! Betrayal! Scandal! War!
War…
Weiss looked over at Ruby Rose, she had accompanied her to port in order to look for the Altesian ships. That silver gaze pondered curiously at her blue eyes, Ruby grinned at her and then squeezed her hand in reassurance. Weiss returned the gesture with a smile of her own, grateful for Ruby's presence.
"Ah, it's the same crew I sailed with from Menagerie to Mistral." Yang squinted her eyes and looked at the men buzzing around deck, a few caught sight of her and waved excitedly in her direction.
"Penny!" Yang bellowed once she caught sight of the signature orange hair of the Lieutenant. Weiss watched as the Lieutenant perked up and then leaned out over the top of the deck.
"Yang! Hello friend!" Penny yelled back.
Yang smiled to herself, "This is going to be loads of fun."
"If it's anything like what Winter has told me, then it's going to be loads of headaches for the rest of us." Weiss quipped, "Just no bar fights, Yang."
"Bar fights?" Ruby looked at her older sister perplexed, this was news to her.
Yang had a mischievous air about her, "We'll see how this all pans out."
"Your sister can be a complete wildfire if you let her." Weiss rolled her eyes.
"She definitely can be." Blake piped in, she leaned into Yang's arm a bit closer, "But please, behave?" Those amber eyes looked into the blonde's lilac ones.
With a dramatic sigh, Yang shrugged, "I'll try my best then, since you asked so nicely." She planted a kiss on the Faunus' temple.
"Of course." Weiss rolled her eyes again at Yang's attempts to antagonize her, again.
"Come on," Ruby sighed, but she kept that smile on her face due to her sister and Weiss' antics, "Let's go find your sister."
"I think you'll like Penny," Yang looked over Blake, "She's actually the one that threw that bar stool at you and Klein."
"I can see now why you get along with her so well." Blake sighed exasperatedly at the memory, "We may have to keep you two in separate corners."
"Where's the fun in that?" Yang retorted.
Ruby watched the black and yellow pair trot ahead, some crewmembers were climbing over the sides to greet Yang and it looked like the Lieutenant was making way to the blond as well.
"You ready?" Ruby asked.
Weiss had shown the fighter the letter that Winter had sent ahead – the merchant was apprehensive at the though of meeting her father. She was able to guess that Roman had disclosed all of what had transpired to her father as soon as she broke away from the vile man.
But what's a dead man's word to Jacques Schnee's own daughter?
Weiss nodded, "I hope Winter is around soon… Father's wrath is most… unpleasant, but she knows how to keep him in check."
"If we're lucky, we'll see Winter first before your Father." Ruby smiled soothingly, "Do you see her at all?"
Weiss squinted towards the deck, all she saw were uniforms walking around, no head or tail of any thing else (like her father's signature high-collared coat and white breeches that signified his nobility status).
Ruby looked around too, her eyes scanning in practice pattern for someone that looked like Weiss (despite Ruby never seeing Winter in person, she could make some guesses). Her eyes landed on the familiar officer uniform that she had seen a few times in passing, the rank on her collar signified that this officer is a Commander. At her waist was a rapier similar to the one Weiss had brought from Mistral. The striking white hair and blue eyes was the final tip off to Ruby.
"Is that Winter? There on pier already." Ruby pointed.
Weiss nodded her head as she followed where Ruby pointed, "Yes, that is her."
"Let's go say hello then." Ruby pulled at her hand.
Weiss nodded and then took a deep breath, "Let's go, hopefully we can get away before Father disembarks."
The pair barely made it half way before Winter caught sight of them, the confident stride exuded the poise and air of a well-respected leader.
Ruby swallowed hard, a foreboding pit began to form in her stomach and the hairs on the back of her neck began to stand. The piercing gaze of Winter Schnee was staring pointedly at where Ruby's hand connected with Weiss.
The Gladiator let go once she realized what the Commander was staring at.
"Winter!" Weiss cried out, she ran up to her older sister who caught her easily in her arms.
"Weiss. Thank Oum." Winter enveloped her baby sister with a great hug, the men in uniform paused for moment to take in the rare sight of the Commander being vulnerable. She stepped back to do a once over of her sister, "No injuries I should know about?"
Weiss shook her head, "None, a lot of this I owe in part to Ruby." She turned to introduce said girl.
Ruby felt self-conscious in her get up, she wanted to pull the green hood of her cloak over her head and the sword at her hip suddenly felt heavy underneath the analytical gaze that belonged to the Commander in front of her.
"Corporal?" Winter motioned to the rank that Ruby bore on her sword belt, it was customary for all soldiers in the Valesian army to bear their rank on their sword belt whenever they weren't in proper uniform.
"Uh… Yes ma'am." Ruby nodded, if she hadn't been captured then the Scout would have easily been a Sergeant (or a Staff Sergeant like Ren).
"You're Ruby Rose, the Torchwick slave?" Winter's gaze held steady.
"Er… I was, but I was a POW and Commander Arc helped ensure I was freed." Ruby replied, Weiss raised a brow at the interaction – she had never seen Ruby stand on ceremony and she had never seen what seemed to be dread radiating off of the Gladiator.
"So you've been gallivanting around with my baby sister? Judging by how familiar you were with her earlier." Winter's voice was ice cold.
Weiss started giggling – Ruby Rose looked like she was quaking in her boots.
"I- er… Uh… Well-" Ruby crumpled underneath the crushing gaze that belonged to Winter.
"Looks like you've met my baby sister, Winter." Yang walked up to the group.
Ruby sighed in relief once that pointed gaze came off of her, Yang smirked once she caught sight of the thankful look on her baby sister's face.
"Sister?" Winter looked astonished at the claim, "Qrow only ever mentioned there being only one of you…"
Yang waved her hand, "Long story."
Winter sighed, her gaze went to the vessel in port, suddenly remembering why she had disembarked earlier than the rest of the official party, "Let's go somewhere else, before Father disembarks." A rather serious expression was on her face, "I asked General Ironwood special permission to disembark much earlier than anyone else – I need to talk to you, Weiss."
"O-Of course," Weiss looked about, "But where?"
"Maybe the tavern in town?" Blake offered up, "The one you told Penny to meet us later for drinks and food once she finishes up." She motioned to Yang.
The Huntress snapped her fingers, "Good call."
"Lead the way." Winter nodded to the blond.
In the distance, a dusty old crow watched on with red eyes, he smiled ever so slightly at the sight.
The five women took a table in the corner of the tavern that wasn't located too far from port, Weiss took note of the name "The Rusty Cog". Already inside were handfuls of travelers and other sailors, who all took note as soon as Winter Schnee came strolling in clad in the Altesian military garb. The Commander undid her sword belt and hung it off the back of her chair, taking extra care that the hilt was next to her right hand for ease of access. Ruby did the same, but positioned her sword to accommodate her left-handedness. Yang usually carried a short dagger in the back of her waist in lieu of her great sword whenever she would go into town.
The waiter approached the new group, Winter ordered a light meal and some water to accommodate, the rest of the group followed suit – especially Yang and Ruby who had worked up quite the appetite after sparring that morning with everyone.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Weiss took a sip from her water, they were waiting for the kitchen to come out with their orders.
Winter looked at her sister steadily in the eyes, "I won't mince words: Father is going to cut you off and wants to bring you back to Atlas on, his exact words were, 'a more stringent and close hold watch'."
"What?!" Weiss stood up in her seat, Ruby planted a firm hand on her leg in an attempt to coax her back into her seat. "Preposterous, over what?"
Winter sighed, "I talked to Father for a bit on the voyage here… but you know how uneasy our relationship is." The eldest Schnee turned her back on Jacques' interests for the interests of Atlas. The decision has never sat well with the Schnee patriarch. "He's set on his decision, he already has Whitley studying the books and accounts you set up in Mistral – he intends to send Whitley down to Mistral to take over the business and strike up a relationship with 'the new regime'." The Commander rolled her eyes.
Yang and Blake looked at each other, and then towards the sisters. The Huntress shrugged and the stood up from her seat, the Faunus mirroring her actions and the two headed to an open spot at the bar to allow the conversation to finish.
Ruby made a move to scoot her chair back to join her sister, but a glance from Winter had the scout stone still in her place – Yang snickered at the interaction, looks like her sister had an impeding battle (more like interrogation) with the elder Schnee.
"New regime?" Weiss ignored the brute and her dolt's exchange, more keen on what exactly her sister is saying, "It was regicide! Father wants to keep doing business with traitors?" She seethed.
Winter rubbed her temples, "Commerce is still on-going, slightly disrupted from the sham rebellion, but the Mistrali port is still active – almost as if there were plans already in place for such a contingency." She narrowed her eyes, "From some of the traders that have come from the Mistral, there's still a solid group of nobles still around to manage the accounts and businesses for trade and such."
"Pyrrha mentioned that they compiled a list of nobles who were suspected to be loyal to Salem." Weiss thought out loud.
"That's what we're going to discuss today and for the next few days." Winter sighed, "King Grauer specifically told General Ironwood that he's in favor to some sort of action to rectify the situation. Father is more keen on what's good for his business." She rolled her eyes.
"What are you guys proposing to do?" The younger Schnee was curious.
Winter gulped down the rest of her water, "I'll let you know once the conference makes an official stance." She wasn't one to add to the rumor mill.
"Of course." Weiss nodded her head, "But going back to father – what is it exactly that set him over the edge?" She knew Winter made references in her reply.
Winter Schnee flicked her gaze to Ruby Rose, the scout visibly stiffened, "You're old business partner, Roman Torchwick, he wrote to Father – and Father brought the letter along, which I read."
"What was in it?" Weiss questioned, she could take a few guesses.
"In summary, Lord Torchwick detailed your relationship with Ruby Rose, saying how he suspects she has clouded your better judgment and dulled your business sense. How you 'threw away a flourishing partnership at the whim of a slave', but what ultimately pissed off Father was the fact you willingly put a Faunus in charge of the books – which is probably why your profit margins were off the past few months." Winter recalled.
"Bull. Shit." Weiss fumed, "He threatened me! He extorted me! That's why the books were so skewed the past few months, it wasn't until Ruby was freed that I was able to properly manage the company – the bastard tried to ruin me." She was seeing red, "And Velvet… She's brilliant with her numbers and business sense, better than any mathematician, business analyst, or fellow merchant I've ever met! How dare Roman try to belittle her!"
Winter narrowed her eyes, the first bit of what her sister had said caught her attention, "That's not how Father views the situation, from the way he talked about Torchwick he considers the man a close and trusted friend." She looked her younger sister in the eyes, "You said Roman Torchwick threatened and extorted you?" A certain anger began to boil underneath that cool exterior, "Was this happening when I visited?"
"No!" Weiss cried out, "I would have let you know if that was the case… you know I can't hide much from you." She looked over at Ruby who she wore a guilty expression.
"You must tell Father your side of the story then," Winter looked over at Ruby, "Surely he'll see some sense, I told him that you wouldn't make any drastic decisions without have a good reason to… he had some choice words for that."
"Like what?"
"You've lost your damned mind over a slave."
"I'm not a slave." Ruby looked the Commander in the eyes, "I'm a free woman… and that bastard Roman can continue burning in hell, so I don't see how he should be an issue anymore."
Winter raised a brow at the small outburst, the scout definitely had some gall after all, "Anymore? What do you mean by that?"
Weiss looked over at Ruby attentively, the Gladiator never told her what transpired while she and Bolin went to go free Neptune and the others, "Ruby… what happened?" She tried.
Ruby looked down at the table, she had avoided the question before during the voyage to Vale and made it a point that no one should ask again, but now here they were.
"Roman's dead." She put plainly, silver eyes looked into blue ones, but she refused to say more on the subject.
She didn't want to tell her how she tormented and burned another human being alive – even if this human being was scum of the lowest caliber.
"Dead?" Winter repeated, "That's certainly news," The trained gaze of the officer didn't leave the scout, "Did you murder him?"
"Yes."
Weiss went wide-eyed, she had suspected something had to have happened at the Villa, she wasn't daft. Ruby looked up at the younger Schnee's taken back expression.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that." Ruby closed her eyes and then trained her gaze at the tabletop.
The merchant scrunched her face together, "I'm not… upset, not in the slightest… I had some suspicions, but to just hear you say it…"
"That could be considered a war crime for killing an innocent man without trial," Winter let out coolly, both Weiss and Ruby snapped their attention to the Commander. "But, Mistral's affairs are none of my business… and I'm glad to hear that he's gone – especially after what he's done to my sister."
Ruby let out a sigh of relief, "I don't consider him innocent, not in the slightest. Not after everything he's taken from me." Her voice was low.
Weiss felt the tension build, but Winter didn't blink an eye at it, "That aside," She straightened out her back, "What is your relationship with my sister?" Winter looked back and forth between the two in front of her, "Something more than some 'plaything' as Father put."
Ruby swallowed hard, she felt so vulnerable underneath that piercing stare, "I…. I, uh…"
Weiss sighed and then placed a hand over Ruby's to calm down the scout, "I nearly forked over half of the company to keep her safe… or safe as she could have been," She smiled despondently, "She saved my life by helping me get out of Mistral during that long night." Weiss looked over at her older sister, "The first time I saw her, yes, she was a slave, but I realized soon after that she was anything but that. She cares for the people around her, she inspires her comrades, she tries to protect those she can, and above all – she has strength of the highest caliber. More courageous and daring than any storied war hero."
Ruby looked up at Weiss, mesmerized by her words.
"She may not always come out on top, but she keeps trying – Oum she has kept trying despite all the insurmountable odds that had been laid out in front of her. I know she's hurting from it all, but she always puts on a brave front for the sake of everyone around her." Weiss turned her gaze back to those silver eyes, "I love her and I want to be there for her, I want to become someone she can trust and lean on. I want to be someone who can protect her heart."
"Weiss…" Ruby croaked out, she thought she did a good job of trying to hide away her vulnerabilities, but here was Weiss saying that she wants to be there to help protect her.
Winter Schnee leaned back in her chair, a ghost of a smile on her face. She looked over at another older sister in the tavern, Yang Xiao Long smiled back at the elder Schnee because she had caught the whole conversation.
"What do you think?" Yang walked over with Blake at her side, both had an ale in hand.
"She's alright," Winter glanced teasingly at Ruby, "But I am curious to hear about how you came across the revelation that you have a little sister. Qrow never made mentioned of her."
The waiter came out with a tray in hand, their plates were piping hot and the smell of food made their mouths water.
"Ruby can help me tell this story while we eat." Yang smiled down at the woman and then patted a hand on her back, "Think you're up for it?"
"Y-Yeah." Ruby had a sheepish look on her face, Winter wore a much softer expression now, "So… are you familiar with a place called Patch?"
"James, this is preposterous." Jacques Schnee paced about his quarters in the Valesian castle, the merchant pulled strings in order to be a part of the conference that over sees the outcome of the next step.
Which Jacques Schnee whole-heartedly thought would be to support the new monarchy that has ascended the throne in the madness of the Slave Rebellion – he thought it false that Salem would be accused of regicide. Roman Torchwick (a man he has exchanged many letters with) assured Jacques that despite Weiss' poor short sighted decision, the Schnee Merchant Company would still be held in good standing among him and his peers – which included Salem Fall, who is now the rightful ruler of Mistral.
However, that blasted Valesian King had other words on the matter. The damned Ozpin's words were like poison, it had seeped through the hearts and minds of those that had attended the conference. Sickening those who had listened into the same delusion that this damned King has conjured.
Salem Fall and the nobles in her faction (Roman Torchwick included) had wrongfully usurped the throne and in the madness had killed (or attempted to) off all opposition to her.
The meeting took place as soon as the main party (Jacques took note that his eldest daughter was a bit late in arriving, despite the fact that she had disembarked before anyone else) had disembarked from the ship and congregated into the great halls of the Valesian castle. It lasted well into the night, which was evident with the moon shining bright overhead.
General James Ironwood remained stoic, he agreed to entertain Jacques' notion for a private meeting after the conference had adjourned for the day – the next few days were going to be busy, but from how today's meeting went, it seems that the majority is in agreement.
"Do you know how much commerce goes through Mistral's port? It would strain our commerce." Jacques seethed.
James Ironwood tightly shut his eyes and took a deep breathe, "It's already been agreed upon, the embargo stands on Mistral – Vacuo is on board with it, and I think we need to show a united front against the situation in Mistral." He looked his old acquaintance with steady eyes, "And it would not strain our commerce, Atlas as a whole would be just fine with the decision." James was well aware of how much assets Jacques had tied up with Mistral's commerce, from what he understands the recent slew of business deals and decisions had come from certain urgings of a Mistrali Lord that dealt in the slave trade.
"Trade embargo?" The word stung Jacques' tongue.
"It's done, Jacq – have you even bothered to visit your daughter yet?" Ironwood knew that Commander Winter Schnee had requested the first half of the day to find Weiss. Winter may have hinted that she wanted to catch Weiss before their Father did….
"Ah – yes, my little snowflake." Jacques began to turn red in the face again, "She was trying to ruin the company for her brash actions in Mistral." He was referring to a discerning letter he got from his good friend Roman, "Cut off all ties with House Torchwick and soliciting help from a damn Faunus?" He frothed.
"On second thought, do whatever pleases you, Jacq." The General advised, "We're going to move out a majority of our congregation in weeks time in order to start preparations on our end. I highly suggest that you come back with me on that voyage, your part here is… concluded." He put tactfully.
"Prepare for what?" They had only landed in the kingdom that very day, the journey itself was a four day affair by boat – and the boat ride was none too pleasant since his eldest daughter made no attempt to mask her contempt for Jacques.
"It was after you and those special few nobles stormed out at King Ozpin's suggestion. Perhaps if you had stayed, you could have helped some of the resource issues that had arisen during the rest of the meeting." James replied cooly.
Jacques narrowed his eyes, "Are you saying that a decision has been made? Besides the trade embargo?"
"Yes, and part of it was to send home those who would prove uncooperative in the task." James stared pointedly at Jacques, "I thought you would be able to put your temper aside for the sake of negotiation on Atlas' behalf, but I see now that you're only here for your company's best interest."
"You all need funding and resources!" Jacques huffed his chest, "Who exactly did you think footed the lien for your excursion against Vale merely a year ago?" The Schnee Merchant Company had given a sizable amount of money for the Kingdom in exchange for exclusive trade rights with Mistral – the venture was the main driving cause of sending Weiss over to set up the branch company and oversee the business there.
James huffed, "You heard what Councilman Oobleck said – the country is ran by traitors now, something that is against the Altesian principals that we teach our young men and women." His eyes glowed, "You would rather choose lien over our morals? Discipline, Honor, Ingenuity, and Loyalty." The General recited the core values that young privates and officers were told to memorize by heart.
"I have an empire that needs to stay a float." Jacques snapped back.
"And your country?" General Ironwood's voice boomed, "With or without the Schnee Merchant Company's backing – an Altesian company, no less – we will stand steadfast with our new allies."
"They're insolent fools!" Jacques cried back, "How can they hope to reform something that all of Remnant is practically built on?"
"By taking one step at a time," James responded coolly, "And that next step is to gather all of our forces for the counter-offensive to liberate Mistral."
Qrow Branwen strolled into his usual bar, he spent the morning doing some more light sparring with Yang and Ruby.
Except nothing about it was light.
Ruby still proved to be a ruthless sparring partner, despite the fact that they just used wooden swords for the intent of some exercise and time spent together.
"She was a gladiator, after all." The man muttered, his nieces mentioned something about dinner at Ruby's cottage that night, Qrow said he'd pass on that one – it irked him to watch his nieces be all lovey dovey with their newfound love interests. Qrow was more impressed with how enamored Yang had become to that Blake.
"Heh, should have known I'd run into you here." The stark white Altesian uniform contrasted against the dark and quaint feel of the Crow Bar.
Qrow smirked, "Look what the cat dragged in," He took a seat next to the officer, his eyes caught the new rank that sat on her collar, "Commander now?"
"Yeah, it's still pretty new but I've adjusted to it pretty nicely." Winter smiled and took a sip of the brandy in her cup.
"What brings you here? I saw the ship yesterday, but I never thought I'd run into you." Qrow ordered a brandy for himself, "Let alone at a bar during the day."
"Surely you've heard what's happened in Mistral by now." Winter leaned back in chair, "We're going to war to re-take the Kingdom from the usurper."
"It's barely been a year and there's another war." Qrow downed the whole cup, he motioned for the barkeep for a refill.
"I know." Winter looked down at the polished bar top, "Your King, Ozpin, he's a good man."
"He is, he really care about his people and his friends." Qrow thought back to his time of following under his banner, "That's why he didn't press for much from Atlas after that 5-year war."
"He proposed that we abolish the slavery system every where, not just here in Vale. He made some good points, General Ironwood was on board, but of course father was against it. He tried to fight it." Winter downed her cup.
Qrow motioned for the barkeep to refill hers too, "How that work out?"
"They shut him down, thank Oum." She didn't try to refute the new drink, "He and probably 4 or 5 other nobles stormed out mid-conference, it was agreed that they would be sent home."
"Have you seen your sister yet?" Qrow looked over, "I've seen her a few times in passing… she's cuddled up to my niece now, apparently."
Winter smiled, "Ruby Rose, right?" She looked up at the man.
"You're acquainted with her then?" Qrow knew the answer to his own question, he had seen his nieces together with the Commander, but he didn't feel the need to go through all the motions.
Winter nodded, "She's a good woman, I could almost approve of her being together with my sister."
"Almost?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I swore an oath in my childhood to never approve of anyone that's together with Weiss. It'll keep them on their toes." Winter took a sip of her drink.
"I'm sure you've noticed that she's more than capable of that, she gave me a thorough spar this morning with Yang." Qrow smirked into his own cup.
"How have you been holding up? I can only imagine the shock you went through seeing your niece that was supposed to be… deceased." Winter chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend the man.
Qrow looked up at the tavern's ceiling, "A whirlwind – the good kind." He cracked a grin, red eyes looking over at his companion, "I just wish that… she didn't have to go through all the things she did, Yang's filled me on what's she knows."
The Hunter looked down at the bar top, "Whipped, tortured, nearly maimed, pushed beyond all physical capabilities – and these are the things that Yang has managed to pry from the others that escaped the Torchwick Villa. Ruby… she doesn't want to talk about what's happened, not with Yang at least." Qrow looked on forlornly.
"Your niece, Ruby, she is one of the strongest people I have ever met." Winter Schnee's voice carried delicately, yet underneath was something serious and stern, "I'm privileged and honored to know that such a person loves and is willing to be with Weiss."
"This is why I refuse to fight another war." Qrow let out, "I will not take another young life for something superfluous like land or influence."
"What about freedom and liberation?" Winter asked the old scout.
Qrow Branwen shook his head, "Not even for that, I'm too old for this now, Winter." He thought back on his time in the Army, "And there's nothing guaranteeing that what you're all about to do in Mistral will have any lasting effect."
"You don't know that."
"I don't, but what I do know is that I won't take part in it." Qrow looked out the window, "People tend to forget that Grimm are just as big of an issue as petty land squabbles or plays for fancy titles like King or Queen." A sigh, "We don't know enough about them, why they're here, what fuels their behavior, why the turn to dust when we kill them, or why they're so attracted to strife and conflict."
"Sounds like that should be Remnant's focus after this." Winter mused, the work that the Huntsman did were greatly appreciated throughout the world. All the men and women who volunteer to be a part of such a renowned guild were known to be the fiercest and most talented.
As well as the most compassionate, more often than not the Huntsman refused to take part in any war, instead taking to watch the battlefield and thinning out the Grimm hoards before they became too unmanageable – and potentially dangerous.
"Maybe." Qrow mused, "For now, I'll keep on taking these simple assignments that come along. As for that next step… I have a feeling that the Grimm is a story for another time further away from here."
The pair clinked their cups together and proceeded to down the contents that warmed the back of their throats.
Bolin Hori looked up at the clear blue sky, he listened to branches crackle in the wind. To his side sat Ruby, dressed in regular tunic and trousers, the two were lounging outside in the courtyard of the Inn that everyone else had still taken refuge in.
"Mrs. Peach offered us jobs, she's got a place for us to stay too." Bolin mentioned.
Ruby nodded, "So Reese and your family should be set?"
"For the most part, Ren and Nora have been extremely helpful – Yang too, I wanna repay her for all the lien she's spent on us since we came here." Bolin took a deep breath.
"She won't except your money, I tried to give her some of my lien I had in the bank here, but she refused." Ruby explained, "And the Army back paid me too, Jaune made sure of that."
Bolin looked down at the ground, "What you said earlier… are you really going to do it?"
"Yeah."
"Neptune and them are probably going to want do it too."
"I figured as much."
"What about Weiss?"
"And Reese?" Ruby shot back, she looked Bolin the eyes, "I know you, Bo."
"I can't let you do anything stupid without me."
"I know." The silver eyed fighter turned her attention to the ground, "I can't walk away from the situation, the other gladiators… the guys from the Villa, they're all still there in Mistral." She took a deep breath, "Cinder and Mercury… I can't walk away without knowing that they've paid for what they've done to us… to Sun, to Nadir, to everyone."
"When are you going to tell everyone else?"
"Soon."
A/N:
Whew, never thought I'd find the time to get around to writing. So the big decision that I've been mulling around the past few weeks is whether or not I'll do a sequel for Gladiator.
I've decided not to do a sequel because I realized how daunting it would be writing it and that I wouldn't get much joy or fun from writing it. Reaching back to when I first started penning the plot, I had set goals in mind on where I wanted the story to go and what I wanted to focus on - which was a bad ass Ruby fighting for her life as a top notch gladiator. And adventure. And drama. And angst (There was a lot of that). As a writer, I feel like I've reached that initial intent for the story and I would like to move on to other projects.
There will be one more chapter for everyone to look forward to and then there will also be an epilogue to follow. Chapter 23 is still in the process of being re-written, but I've got some down time on the horizon so I'm hopeful that I'll finish writing this story soon.
So future projects...
Don't have a title for the story just yet, but it's going to be a Bumblebee Fic with a mobster and Vegas theme to it. So probably not a whole lot of heroics but there will be lots of guns and excitement... and other illcit things. I'll throw down the appropriate disclaimers and warnings in the first chapter, but I'm pretty excited to try writing a gangster genre.
For those that have noticed, I'm working on an angsty Bumblebee short story called Our Playlist. Experimenting with writing a non-linear plot (so think Reservoir Dogs and Memento). It's also serving as a bit of a break in between Gladiator and my up and coming gangster Bumblebee Fic (Current outline has the story at about 18 chapters, still in the process of hammering it out).
Thank you to everyone for your enduring support, I fucking love writing and I love it when I hear from you guys about how much you like the story or how it hits you right in the feels.
See you guys in the next one.
Cheers,
DevilRed